Dan Slott and The Thing

This Wednesday, THE THING #6 comes out and finishes a two part story guest starring Spider-Man. It’s a great series and while I do read quite a few titles, this is one that I recommend to anyone who is into Marvel, grew up with Marvel, or just likes good old fashioned superhero books. It also happens to be a title that is in my current top five for favorite current series. I was fortunate enough to ask THING writer Dan Slott a few questions and even luckier when he answered them.

The first three issues were one arc, #4 was self contained, and #5 is the first part of a two part arc. To me they are great because they are easy for new readers to jump on, but they also tell a larger story behind the scenes. Because of this, I consider The Thing to be one of the most friendly titles for new readers. Do you plan on keeping it that way?

Absolutely.

And is this intentional?

Yup. As a reader, I want my comics to feel like a full unit of entertainment. As a writer, I want to deliver that. And usually that means cramming everything I can into three-part, two-part, and done-in-one stories.

You’ve brought back (or helped bring back) sentimental favorites from the 70s and 80s and made them cool such as Goliath and Nighthawk, as well as villains such as Arcade, Sandman, and Trapster. Is there anyone else we should be keeping our eyes open for that you can talk about?

Without giving anything away? Nah! But expect to see Goliath come back to the title (along with a horde of other heroes) in THING #8!

THING #8 has Aunt Petunia showing up. I don’t recall ever seeing her show up in Fantastic Four, or Marvel Two in One. Is this a first? Or do I need to brush up on my FF apperances?

Actually, John Byrne had her show up back in FF #239. But THING #8 will be the first time she’s shown up in over two decades– and while THAT may not be a first– the REASON Aunt Petunia shows up WILL be a Marvel Universe first!

Issue #4 is one of my favorite self contained stories of 2006, and in several years. What was your inspiration for it?

THING #4 came about because of what JMS was doing– and was planning to do– with the Thing over in the pages of the FANTASTIC FOUR.

One, JMS had recently given Ben a gazillion dollars over in the FF, and was showing the Thing having a fun time with his newfound wealth. This is a neat set-up, and I’m having fun with it. But I wanted to show that a rich Ben Grimm would be a mensch– that he’d do good things with his money. So THING #4 was a conscious step towards putting him on that path.

Two, initially JMS had plans to set up the Ben (and his newfound dough) outside of New York. But while working in those parameters, I still wanted Ben to have quick and easy access to the rest of the Marvel U. (because I’m a HUGE fan of MARVEL TWO-IN-ONE, and I wanted to have lots of team ups). So… My solution was to throw in a big, teleporting dog.

Put those two things together, and you pretty much wind up with our fourth issue.

Any words for those who are waiting for the trade paperback? Because I feel that there is a good size untapped crowd not buying the monthly issues because they’re waiting for the trade.

I don’t know how large that market really is. And I do appreciate that some readers enjoy one format more than the other. Right now, on THE THING, our monthly sales are in a scary place– and really do need EVERY sale that we can get. And that’s why we’re trying to encourage readers who shop at Local Comic Shops to commit to buying the THING ahead of time, and get it added to their “pull lists.”

Of course, fans of FANTSTIC FOUR, MARVEL TWO IN ONE, and all other Fantastic Four titles would like this book. Are there any other titles you can think of who’s readers would like this (for example readers of POWERS would like GOTHAM CENTRAL).

Well, SHE-HULK readers (obviously).
Also anyone who enjoys old school fun in a modern setting. If you’re digging the Kirkman books (INVINCIBLE, MARVEL TEAM-UP) or Tony Bedard’s EXILES. Or if you like books that revel in Marvel lore, like Fabian Nicieza’s THUNDERBOLTS or Tom DeFalco’s SPIDER-GIRL.

You’ve shown from the statues of Ben Grimm’s various stages (including when Wolverine sliced his face and he had to wear a helmet) to the robots of all of Hulk’s personas. Are you ok if I compare your THING (as well as SHE-HULK) and your knowledge of continuity to Geoff Johns and the titles he wrote/writes?

I’d take that as the highest compliment! Geoff Johns is one of the best writers out there– and especially when it comes to staying true to continuity (which is something that I look for in the comics I pick up).

I just want to say, that I didn’t care for the Fantastic Four movie. I thought that Thing looked great as far as looking like Jack Kirby’s drawings. BUT, you write Ben Grimm better than the screenwriters, and to me, I haven’t seen him written this well since the John Byrne days of FF. For someone who saw the FF movie and either loved it or hated it, what would you say to get them to pick this book up?

I’d say, “Hey! Check us out! Your monthly fix of THE THING! And at $2.99… wayyyy cheaper than the price of a movie ticket!”

Paul Jenkins wrote a great issue of SPECTACULAR SPIDER-MAN #21 where Spider-man played poker with Thing, Dr Strange, Kingpin and more. It was a great issue… but something tells me that the stakes are higher in THING #8, (just from the cover alone). Will it be the same group as Spectacular, or more players?

That issue was great! But, what most new readers don’t know is that the Thing’s poker games are legendary– and they go all the way back to MARVEL TWO-IN-ONE #41. Heck, you could probably make a nice TPB of all of the Ben Grimm poker games!

Our upcoming poker game in THING #8 however?…
Well, this one has a twist! It’s not JUST a case of playing a few hands with a small group a’ guys. Nope! This time out EVERYBODY’S going to be there– and it’s going to be an all out Marvel Universe Poker Tournament! A chance to finally see which superhero is the GREATEST cardshark of ’em all!

Who would you love to use in Thing? I don’t even have to fear you saying dead heroes or villains because I have faith in you handling and explaining it if they did show up.

Well, after #6 with Spider-Man, #7, with Hercules, and dozens of Marvel heroies showing up in #8, I think you’ll be hard pressed to find someone we haven’t used!
That said? If we could keep the book going, I’d love to do a good, solid Ben Grimm/Nick Fury team-up. I think that’d be really fun!

If you’re interested in catching up, you can find the first five issues on stands now. Dan is also currently writing SHE-HULK (Another great title), and BIG MAX just hit shelves. You can also find his previous works in TPB or the back issue bins with GLA, and ARKHAM ASYLUM: LIVING HELL. He also has a message board that he frequents and posts on which you can find at http://www.606studios.com/bendisboard/forumdisplay.php?f=25